dmac93065

I disagree with the notion that Jones would have been a good fit in Detroit. Thomas is a between the tackles, pound the rock type of back. He relies upon a competent team having sufficient blocking upfront and game situations where running the ball is an effective strategy. The Lions however, are rarely in a position to 'pound the rock' due to huge second half deficits.

Personally, I would love to see a big bruising back (like Legarrett Blount) punish opposing defenses and create a tough mentality that this team can gravitate around. The catch is that a team needs a superior defense to implement that strategy. As constituted, the Lions can't adopt that strategy, instead they need a Tomlinson/Westbrook type of player. A back who can who can make explosive plays both running & catching the ball AND can pick up blitzes. Aaron Brown more closely suits that role than Thomas does, but ball security and blitz pick up issues have kept him off the field.

I disagree with the notion that Jones would have been a good fit in Detroit. Thomas is a between the tackles, pound the rock type of back. He relies upon a competent team having sufficient blocking upfront and game situations where running the ball is an effective strategy. The Lions however, are rarely in a position to 'pound the rock' due to huge second half deficits.

Personally, I would love to see a big bruising back (like Legarrett Blount) punish opposing defenses and create a tough mentality that this team can gravitate around. The catch is that a team needs a superior defense to implement that strategy. As constituted, the Lions can't adopt that strategy, instead they need a Tomlinson/Westbrook type of player. A back who can who can make explosive plays both running & catching the ball AND can pick up blitzes. Aaron Brown more closely suits that role than Thomas does, but ball security and blitz pick up issues have kept him off the field.

I like the Lion's options @ #2. Mainly because I have confidence in the front office. I think it's a lock that if the pick isn't wisely dealt for strategic purposes, Suh, Berry, Okung or McCoy will be selected. I think each of these guys can be coached up' to become highly successful players in the NFL.

Under Millen, Lions fans had to hold their breath and hope that they didn't outsmart themselves by choosing curious picks that would leave most scratching their heads. This coaching staff & front office seem genuinely interested in bettering the team & building it through the draft. Last draft, I initially thought Pettigrew and Williams were reaches. While Williams seems destined to be a bust, the verdict is still out on Pettigrew. No front office bats a thousand & if they secure 3 good starters from this draft, the team will be in good shape going forward.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with Zaroo. I think Mock Drafts are a good thing for two reasons. The best reason for a Mock Draft is to disseminate misinformation that could influence a team with poor leadership into selecting a poor choice. Don't believe it works, see Al Davis' drafts from just last year. He thought someone would steal Darius Hayward Bey in the 1st round because of the mock drafts that aired just prior to the 2009 draft and made a poor choice as a result.

The second reason for mock drafts being offered by fans is that it serves as a way measuring the potential approval rating of a fan base for a particular player. Guys like Parcels and Bilichick don't need that level of approval. But someone that's actually unproven and seeking to ingratiate themselves to a franchise's fan base might do such a thing, especially if two evenly rated players are available to be drafted.

Trade value for BJ & Northcutt ? Probably very low. Neither of these guys were ever top tiered receivers & in a market where Hall of Fame worthy receivers like TO, Torry Holt & Marvin Harrison have essentially been ignored by GM's in favor of younger receivers, the Lions might be stuck with them.

Williams would likely have been cut had he not been a 3rd round pick. But that might work in his favor as the coaches will likely give him another chance or two to prove his worth. Some believe he wasn't a good pick in the 3rd round with very average speed and less than average catching ability. That said, the choice is his. If he works hard on improving he might earn a 4th receiver spot on a team that still needs a legitimate #2 receiver.

Brown & Gronko are both later round picks. If the don't show promise fast they run the risk of being phased out when the team signs undrafted rookie free agents. Brown has speed but has ball security issues and that might prevent him from getting on the field often. Gronko might have a shot due to Pettigrew's injury, but he has to seize the opportunity as he might not get another one with this coaching regime.

If the Lions want to better their position in the NFC North, maybe the should look for help from the AFC South. THe Colts just released Ryan Lilja. He is a 28 year old LG who was part of one of the best offensive lines in the league for a few years. The would certainly be an upgrade in Detroit & if Okung could be draft, the Lions could take a cap hit in this uncapped year & release Backus.

On another note, anyone heard details regarding last years big name LB acquisitions. Foote's apparently seeking to return to a 3-4 defense, but I haven't read much about JP. If Foote leaves, is Levy ready to fill in? Either way I hope we are not stuck with the oft injured Sims @ OLB? I'd love to see him traded for a 4th round pick.

There's been a theme to free agency this year. Securinghard working talented players. I think Schwartz & Mayhew will follow suit in the draft. I'm not sure if they are interested in merely getting bodies. That was last year's project & done to weed out those who were part of the losing culture. This year's focus seems on getting the best talent available for the respective scheme used. There aren't alot of wasted moves. They might not want to bite the bullet at #2 but they aren't likely to ship the pick off just to get more late round, often less talented players. I'm confident they will choose Okung, Berry or Suh in that order. I can't see them trading down unless the can get more 1st day picks in exchange.

There's been a theme to free agency this year. Securinghard working talented players. I think Schwartz & Mayhew will follow suit in the draft. I'm not sure if they are interested in merely getting bodies. That was last year's project & done to weed out those who were part of the losing culture. This year's focus seems on getting the best talent available for the respective scheme used. There aren't alot of wasted moves. They might not want to bite the bullet at #2 but they aren't likely to ship the pick off just to get more late round, often less talented players. I'm confident they will choose Okung, Berry or Suh in that order. I can't see them trading down unless the can get more 1st day picks in exchange.

This is a step in the right direction. Coaches like young players that they can mold to fit into their respective systems. Older players are less adept to change more more resistant to instruction. Apparently the coaches here feel they can mold the raw talent into serviceable players. I'll give them a chance to see if they can pull it off.

I'd also love to see TO signed. Yeah I know many people will object that that statement but hear me out. Terrell Owens is a big physical receiver who consistently beats up secondary players both as a receiver and a run blocker. But what sets him above any other play the Lions could sign is that he will DEMAND the ball.

Too often Stafford gunned passes to CJ even when he was triple covered. BJ & Northcutt didn't have the personality or credibility to hold the offense accountable for that. This happened consistently last season & Lions fans were left disappointed with the acquisition of these two players. Though Owens might not be the deep threat player he once was, he was explosive when given an opportunity and his age makes him cheap to sign & less likely to be the locker room cancer he had been in the past.

There's a youth movement afoot in the secondary. It looks like both Wade and Houston will be under contract Monday. Though these guys haven't proven themselves as shutdown corners thus far, they are younger and much faster than the guys they are replacing.

Does anyone remember how the ancient Derrick Mason blew by the guys we had in the secondary last year. I guess the thinking is, coverage skill can be taught, speed can't. Since Ryan Clark seems destined to sign in Miami, I'm wondering if Berry won't wind up as the Lion's 1st round pick in this years draft.

The CB position seems to be a struggle each year. I'm not sure why quality players are jettison each offseason, only to see similarly or even lesser talented players take the vacated spots. Much like an offensive line, secondary players need time to mesh with each other through playing together. Hard to make that happen with such frequent changes.

This is similar to the hype we heard last year about Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt. Still, this regime has earned the benefit of doubt, so I'll hold judgment for now.

As for this being a good first step, hopefully it is. I would love to see the #2 pick traded for a chance at OT Okung & a pick that positions the team to select Spiller or Best. K. Smith has shown that he is NOT the guy to feature every down for this offense but that doesn't mean FA Thomas Jones is. Jones is a 30+ running back. If he isn't bringing the Jets' offensive line with him, there should be no a realistic expectation of him producing in Detroit the way he did in NY.

Don't overlook the injuries and inept play we saw on offense. The offensive line didn't protect any of the QB's this year leading two into injuries & one back into semi-retirement. It is also a key reason for Detroit's starting QB, RB, WR & TE all missing games or even ending the season injured. Jones wouldn't last 4 games behind Backus & Co. Now that the defensive line is improved over last year's. It's time to draft well to protect the franchise's QB with a solid OL.

Early reports have Burleson receiving $11M in guarantees while Bolden was signed $10M. Bolden is better in every aspect of football than Burleson. It would have been a much better scenario to have Bolden in Honolulu Blue than a guy who's been invisible over the past few years.

I commend BVO for going public with his praise to the front office. They deserve an A for effort. The Vanden Bosch deal is huge. It finally gives the Lions a pass rushing presence that might allow avril to make a few plays due to Vanden Bosch being double teamed. As for Burleson, this guy is very pedestrian. Nothing to be excited over at all. He is almost as far from his playmaking days as is Daunte Culpepper. I think Marvin Harrison could have a better impact on the team than Burleson, but I give the front office an A for effort.

I'm suspicious of the Suh selection now as well. Schwartz & Gunther reportedly valued the contributions of Sammie Lee Hill along the defensive front last season. I don't think they would abandon his development, they don't believe he can become anything more than a backup. I wonder if Okung or Berry have impressed enough to make the team re-consider drafting a prospect like Suh.

I am very pleasantly surprised to see the Lions being so aggressive as it relates to replenishing the defensive line. Despite the numbers, the run defense improved marginally in 2009 over the 2008 campaign. I'm thinking Williams is a 'depth' signing while Vanden Bosch adds some much needed talent. Both are encouraging moves, although I recognize the Vanden Bosch deal hasn't been officially inked yet.

As for Burleson, this is a curious move. A receiver earning that kind of money should be a legitimate threat, someone opposing defenses would consider a 1b, as it were. Anquan Bolden would be such a fit, not this guy. Maybe he can serve in the slot like Furrey did under Martz. Still, I don't see any difference between Burleson & Northcutt in terms of skill or speed. I hope this was just a 1st attempt at improving the talent at WR with more moves forthcoming.

This is can't be a tradition salary cap casualty as there is no cap for the 2010 season. The secondary looked porous all season, but in the absence of a consistent pass rush, how could you ascribe blame. Either this team feels confident they are going to land Rolle or Cromartie in free agency or they expect to do so in the draft. I have some confidence in the front office. I'm excited to see how things play themselves out over the next few days